In a major breakthrough against cyber fraud, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a cross-border scam operating from Noida’s Special Economic Zone. The syndicate, posing as Microsoft technical support, targeted foreign nationals with false claims of malware infections to extract payments for fake assistance.
The crackdown is part of Operation Chakra-V, CBI’s nationwide campaign to dismantle tech-enabled fraud rings. The suspects ran operations under the name FirstIdea, reaching out to victims primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia. Using scripted dialogues, voice-masking tools, and remote access software, the fraudsters tricked individuals into granting control of their devices and making payments under duress.
Coordinated infrastructure, scripted fraud, and global collusion
The scam was meticulously structured, aligning with time zones of the targeted regions. Operators followed a step-by-step playbook designed to induce panic, presenting false alerts and guiding victims through sham technical diagnostics. This psychological manipulation often ended with online transactions authorised out of fear.
During raids at three separate Noida locations, the CBI arrested a key operative and seized advanced call infrastructure. The technology stack enabled anonymised international VoIP calls and housed preloaded malware prompts, voice scripts, and interface templates.
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Investigators revealed the operation was masked as a legitimate enterprise, complete with corporate registrations and leased office space, adding a layer of complexity to its takedown. Collaboration with international enforcement — including the FBI, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and Microsoft’s internal fraud team — was central to dismantling the ring.
The arrested individual has been presented before the Special CBI Court. With the investigation still in progress, authorities expect further arrests as more digital evidence is analysed.
